Container puncturing apparatus



Sept. 25, 1962 1-1.0. MOORE CONTAINER PUNCTURING APPARATUS Filed Aug. 21, 1961 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 25 INVENTbR: HARRY O. MOORE AGAMAAAM W 51 ATTORNEYS Sept. 25, 1962 H. o. MOORE CONTAINER PUNCTURING APPARATUS 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 21, 1961 INVENTOR: HARRY O. M0025 ATTORNEYS Sept. 25, 1962 H. o. MOORE CONTAINER PUNCTURING APPARATUS 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Aug. 21, 1961 1NVENTOR. HARRY O. MOORE- ATTORNEYS 3,055,105 CONTAINER PUNCTURING APPARATUS Harry 0. Moore, Charlotte, N.C., assignor of fifty percent to George F. Lefler, Charlotte, N.C. Filed Aug. 21, 1961, Ser. No. 132,616 21 Claims. (Cl. 30-4) This invention relates to apparatus for puncturing containers, such as sealed metal cans and the like; and more especially, to a novel and improved mechanism for imparting smooth, forceful downward movement to the punch or piercing element of a container opener, and for quickly returning the punch to its inoperative position.

Many types of container puncturing devices have been constructed heretofore, and although such prior puncturing devices have been satisfactory in some respects, they have not been satisfactory in other respects. Generally, the prior art devices have been so expensive to construct and/or maintain that relatively few of them could be sold at a profit to the manufacturer. Also, the prior types of container puncturing devices would either impart such rapid or sudden downward movement to the punch as to cause the liquid contents to splash out of the usual types of beverage containers pierced thereby, or if the punch was actuated at a slow enough speed to avoid splashing the liquid contents out of the containers, then the return of the punch to raised or inoperative position would be too slow for practical use.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a novel and improved container puncturing apparatus of simple and economical construction having means for imparting smooth, forceful, downward movement to the punch, and wherein the punch will quickly return to raised position upon penetration of the container being completed.

It is an other object of this invention to provide a container punching apparatus of the character described in which each active stroke of the punch is effected by engagement of a follower with a driven, rotary, helically grooved member, which follower is operatively connected to the punch and is automatically withdrawn from engagement with the spirally grooved member at the end of each active stroke of the punch.

In preferred embodiments of the invention, the helically grooved member is in the form of an open coiled spring fixed on and encircling the shaft of an electric motor, and the follower is in the form of a normally retracted bar or rod movably mounted on a punch-carrying arm or lever. Means actuable by a container moves the follower into engagement with and between the coils of the spring and, preferably, energizes the motor, whereby the rotating spring imparts an active stroke to the punch. Upon completion of each active stroke of the punch, the follower is again retracted or released from engagement with the spring so the punch can quickly return to inactive position.

Some of the objects of the invention having been stated, other objects will appear as the description proceeds, when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which- FIGURE 1 is a top plan view of one embodiment of the improved container puncturing apparatus;

FIGURE 2 is a side elevation of the apparatus in FIG- URE 1 with the punch in raised or inoperative position;

FIGURE 3 is a perspective view of the punch element or blade removed from the apparatus;

FIGURE 4 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view showing the electric motor in elevation, being taken substantially along line 44 in FIGURE 1; and showing the punch in lowered or active position;

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary view similar to the upper portion of FIGURE 4, but showing the punch and associated elements in the position occupied thereby following the punching operation and while a container is still supported by the apparatus;

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional plan view through the punch actuating mechanism taken substantially along line 66 in FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 7 is a plan view similar to FIGURE 1 showing a second embodiment of the invention;

FIGURE 8 is a fragmentary elevation similar to the upper portion of FIGURE 2, but illustrating the second embodiment of the invention and showing the punch in fully raised or inactive position;

FIGURE 9 is a fragmentary perspective view of the follower means at the rear end of the punch-carrying arm shown in FIGURES 7 and 8;

FIGURE 10 is a fragmentary vertical sectional View taken substantially along line 1010 in FIGURE 7, but showing the punch in fully lowered or active position with the follower withdrawn from engagement with the spirally grooved shaft or spring;

FIGURE 11 is an enlarged fragmentary transverse vertical sectional view taken substantially along line 11--11 in FIGURE 10.

Referring more specifically to the drawings, the numeral 20 broadly designates the frame of the improved container puncturing apparatus. Frame 20 comprises a standard 21 having a rearwardly extending base 22 on its lower portion and also having a forwardly projecting, stationary, container support or platform 23 forming a container receiving means on its front portion. Although the base 22, standard 21 and container support 23 may be integrally formed, the base 22 is shown in FIGURES 2 and 4 as being suitably secured to the lower surfaces of standard 21 and support 23, as by screws 24, and container support 23 is formed integral with standard 21. The base 22 may be provided with suitable feet 25 thereon, which are preferably in the form of suction cups, to assist in retaining the apparatus in the desired position on a table or the like, without the necessity of securing the apparatus to such table.

The front portion of standard 21 preferably has a stepped concave surface 27 for receiving thereagainst a container or can, such as is indicated at C in FIGURES 4 and 5. In order to accommodate containers of different heights or lengths, the front concave surface 27 of standard 21 is provided with a pair of vertically spaced shoulders 30, 31 which are stepped so as to receive the lower edge portion of a can or container of corresponding height therein. It will be noted that the lower shoulder 30 is spaced above main support 23 and, therefore, shoulders 30, 31 may be termed as auxiliary container supports.

The upper end or top portion of standard 21 is bifurcated, thereby forming a pair of spaced cars 34, 35 between which a medial portion of a punch-carrying member, arm or lever 36 is loosely mounted or fulcrumed for pivotal movement on a substantially horizontal axis, as at 37. Preferably, but not necessarily, the pivot point 37 is located closely adjacent the front or head end of lever 36 so that it is well forward of the center of gravity of lever 36.

The front end 40 of lever 36, which may be considered as a part of a punch head, carries a punch or cutter element which overlies platform 23. The punch element is broadly designated at 41 and is in the form of a substantially C-shaped relatively thin, metal strip having a top relatively fiat portion 42, a rearwardly, downwardly and forwardly curved rear portion 43 and a downwardly and forwardly curved and pointed cutting portion 44. The cutting portion 44 is substantially triangularly-shaped and has beveled opposed side surfaces 45 which form opposed sharp edges on the lower surface of cutting portion 44. In practice, this type of punch element has produced very satisfactory results, however, it is to be understood that other types of punch elements may be used without departing from the spirit of the invention.

The flat upper portion 42 of punch element 41 has a hole '46 therethrough through which a bolt 47 extends (FIGURES 3 and 4) for securing the punch element to the lower surface of the front portion 40 of lever 36. The front portion 40 of lever 36 preferably has a longitudinally extending adjustment slot 50 therein through which bolt 47 extends, thus adjustably securing punch element 41 to the front portion 40 of lever 36.

In the first embodiment of the invention (FIGURES 1 through 6), the rear portion of lever 36 has a longitudinally extending slot 52 therein which defines opposed rigid arms 53, 54 between whose rear portions a driven helically grooved upright shaft or member extends. The latter helically grooved member is broadly designated at H and, in its preferred embodiment, upright member H is in the form of a coiled or helical spring 55 mounted on the substantially upright shaft 56 of an electric motor 57. Motor 57 is suitably secured to base 22, as by threaded studs 60 and corresponding nuts 61, only one of each of which is shown in FIGURES 2 and 4.

Spring 55 may be fixed on motor shaft 56 by being pressed onto the same. It will be noted that adjacent coils of spring 55 are spaced apart from each other so as to define the helical or spiral groove 63 therebetween and extending throughout the length of spring 55.

The helical spring 55 is particularly desirable as a means to form a helical ridge and helical groove on the upright rotary member H for transmitting active movement to the punch element 41 through the medium of a follower member 65 to be presently described. Because standard springs are usually made from round steel wire, they are usually tempered, they are readily available, and they can be purchased at very low cost as compared to the cost of threaded shafts. However, it is contemplated that the motor shaft 56, or a shaft connected to shaft 56, may be formed with suitable translating threads, such as acme threads, stub threads, worm threads, buttress threads, or the like, and the spring 55 could then be omitted, without departing from the spirit of the invention. Such threads would have to be smoothly rounded and should be hardened so the follower 65 would readily enter the helical groove defined by such threads.

The follower 65 is normally retracted or withdrawn from engagement with spring 55, and is carried by the rear portion of lever 36. Follower 65 is adapted to be moved into engagement with the helical groove 63 each time a container C is placed on one of the supports 23, 30, 31 and against the corresponding portion of surface 27 so that, with rotation of coiled spring 55, the rear portion of lever 36 is moved upwardly from the position in FIGURE 2 to that of FIGURE 4 while the punch element 41 is moved downwardly in an active stroke. It is apparent that the direction of rotation of motor shaft 56 should so correspond with the direction in which the coils of spring 55 are formed as to transmit upward move ment to the follower 65 whenever it engages spring 56. The construction of the first form of follower 65, and the operating means therefor, will now be described.

7 It will be observed in FIGURES l, 2, 4 and that follower 65 is in the form of an elongate bar or rod underlying and straddling the distance between arms 53, 54 at the rear end of lever 36. One end of follower 65 is pivotally connected, as at 66, to the lower surface of the arm 54 of lever 36. Although follower 65 may be triangularly-sha-ped in plan, it is shown substantially V- shaped in plan and includes a crank arm 67 which may be integral with follower 65. Follower 65 and crank arm 67 extend in diverging relationship with respect to the pivot point 66.

The follower drawn position against a stop pin or abutment 65 is normally biased to retracted or withshown in solid lines in FIGURE 1. by any suitable means such as a tension spring 70. One end of spring 70 is connected to a spring anchor 71 formed integral with and projecting outwardly from one side of lever 36, and the other end of spring 70 is connected to a portion of crank arm 67 projecting outwardly beyond the corresponding arm 53 at the rear end of lever 36.

Follower 65 also projects outwardly beyond arm 53 of lever 36 so as to be moved, by means to be later described, inwardly beneath a vertically extending follower guide or follower retaining means 72. Follower guide 72 is in the form of a relatively thin upright plate which is preferably bent outwardly at its lower end, as at 73, and which lower end terminates above the level of the lower portion of spring and also above the level of the position occupied by follower when punch element 41 is in fully raised or inoperative position and the rear portion of lever 36 occupies its lowermost position.

As heretofore stated, means are provided for actuating follower 65 to more the same into engagement with coiled spring 55 whenever a container C is positioned upon any one of the supports 23, 3t), 31, depending upon the height of the container C. The follower guide 72 is so positioned that, when the follower 65 is moved into operative position in engagement with coiled spring 65, the free end of follower 65 is then disposed rearwardly of follower guide 72 so that, with subsequently upward movement being imparted to the rear portion of punch-carrying arm 36 by the coiled spring 55 rotating in engagement with follower 65, the free end of follower 65 is retained in engagement with spring 55, because it passes upwardly rearwardly of and in engagement with the upright follower guide 72. When follower 65 moves upwardly beyond guide 72, spring (FIGURES l and 4) then withdraws the follower 65 from engagement with coiled spring 55 and then the rear portion of lever 36 may then drop back toward its original inactive position, by gravity, during which the free end portion of follower 65 moves downwardly forwardly of guide 72.

If so desired, a tension spring 75 may be connected between electric motor 57 and the rear portion of lever 36 to assist in returning the lever toward inoperative position in the event that punch element 41 does not return toward the inoperative position from the operative position at the desired rate of speed. In this instance, the follower guide 72 has a reinforcing flange 76 formed integral therewith whose lower end is suitably secured to or formed integral with a guide base 77 fixed to the upper surface of electric motor '57, as by screws 80.

The control device or actuator, for moving follower 65 into operative position each time a container C is placed on one of the supports 23, 30 or 31, is broadly designated at and comprises a spring-loaded button or plunger 86 which normally projects forwardly from the central and upper portion of the curved front surface 27 of standard 21. Plunger 86 is slidably mounted in a rearwardly and downwardly inclined cavity 87 formed in the upper portion of standard 21 and is normally urged outwardly by a compression spring 90. Spring 96 surrounds a reduced stem 91 projecting rearwardly from and formed integral with plunger 86. One end of spring 90 bears against the rear surface of plunger 86 and the other end thereof seats against the bottom of cavity 87.

The stem 91 projects rearwardly beyond standard 21 and has a switch actuating cam or block 92 thereon which may be formed therewith, but is preferably adjustably secured thereon, as by a set screw 93 (FIGURE 6). The front end of cam 92 is adapted to engage the rear surface of the upper portion of standard 21 to limit forward movement of plunger 86. The rear, preferably rounded end portion of cam 92 is positioned closely adjacent the normally extended spring-loaded plunger 95 of a normally open switch 96 to be later described. Switch 96 controls the flow of electrical energy to motor 57, as will be presently described.

Switch 96 may be of any desired or conventional construction and is shown in the form of an externally threaded tubular body 97 threaded through a plate 100, preferably formed integral with and projecting rearwardly from one side portion of standard 21. Plate 100 is positioned adjacent and to one side of the stem 91 of plunger 86. A look nut 101 may be mounted on body 97 for retaining the same in the plate 100. Switch body 97 may be made from plastic or other suitable insulation material.

The enlarged built-up outer portion of switch body 97 carries a pair of yieldable contacts 102, 103 which are suitably insulated from each other and from switch plunger 95. Contact 102 is in the form of a leaf spring and engages the electrically insulated end of plunger 95 opposite from stem 92 for normally urging the plunger 95 to open position; i.e., toward stem 91. Outward movement of plunger 95 may be limited by a snap ring 104 which en- .gages the end of the built-up body 97 of switch 96 when plunger 95 is in fully extended position.

Contacts 102, 103 have respective electrical conductors 106, 107 connected thereto which lead to a double-pole master switch 110 and the electric motor 57, respectively. The other side of electric motor 57 has a conductor 112 leading therefrom to the switch 110, to which it is connected in parallel with conductor 106. The other side of switch 110 has a pair of lead conductors 113, 114 leading therefrom to a suitable source of electrical energy embodied in a plug 115.

The punch-carrying member 36 is shown mounted in a manner most preferred. However, it is apparent that both the punch element 41 and the driven helically grooved shaft or spring 55 may be positioned adjacent the same side of the pivot point 37 of lever 36, or the punch-carrying member 36 may be suitably guided for vertical movement, instead of being pivotally supported, without departing from the spirit of the invention. In these two instances, it is apparent that the direction of rotation of helically grooved shaft 55 might then be reversed, or the direction of the spiral groove 63 might be reversed, or the motor 57 and shaft 55 might be inverted as compared to the structure shown in the drawings.

Method of Operation of First Form of the Invention Assuming that master switch 110 is closed and lever 36 occupies the inactive position shown in FIGURE 2, upon placing a container C of corresponding height on one of the supports 23, 30 or 31 and against the corresponding portion of surface 27 of standard 21, the container C engages and depresses plunger 86. In so doing, cam 92 on the stem 91 of plunger 86 engages and moves the plunger 95 of switch 96 outwardly to close contacts 102, 103, thus starting electric motor 57 Also, as plunger 86 is depressed by a container C, the rear end of the stem 91 thereof engages and moves rearwardly an abutment 120 formed integral with and depending from crank arm 67. In so doing, crank arm 67 is moved rearwardly in opposition to spring 70, thus moving follower 65 rearwardly into engagement with spring 55 and the then rotating motor shaft 56. Upon moving into the helical groove 63 formed between the coils of spring 55, follower 65 rides upwardly in groove 63, thus imparting upward movement to the rear portion of lever 36 and downward movement to punch element 41.

As the rear portion of lever 36 moves upwardly, and abutment 120 moves above the level of the stem 91 of plunger 86, follower 65 will have moved into engagement with the rear surface of portion 73 of follower guide 72. The outwardly bent portion 73 assists in directing or camming follower 65 to the rear of guide 72 and prevents follower 65 from moving forwardly under the pull of tension spring 70. The rear portion of lever 36 then continues to move upwardly with the follower 65 in engagement with helical groove 63 until follower 65 is raised above follower guide 72. Thereupon, tension spring 70 swings crank arm 67 and follower 65 in a clockwise direction; i.e., from the broken line position to the solid line position in FIGURE 1, thus releasing follower 65 from engagement with coiled spring 55. At this moment, punch element 41 will have completed its penetration of the top wall of container C, and the rear portion of lever 36 will immediately drop, by gravity, to substantially the position shown in FIGURE 5 or downward movement thereof can be assisted by tension spring 75, as heretofore explained.

In the event that the pull of spring 70 may be insuflicient to release follower 65 from helical groove 63, follower 65 will be forced out of groove 63 by an abutment or pin 121 projecting from the upper portion of motor shaft 56 above the level of guide 72.

It will be noted that, as the rear portion of lever 36 falls and while a container C still remains in such position that it depresses plunger 86, abutment comes to rest against the upper surface of the stem 91 of plunger 86. Thus, although motor shaft 56 and coiled spring 55 may still be rotating, a cycle in the operation of the apparatus cannot be repeated until the container C is removed therefrom or, at least, a cycle in the operation of the apparatus cannot be repeated until the plunger 86 is released so that it may return to the inoperative position shown in FIGURES 3 and 6 under the impetus of compression spring 90. Obviously, this is a safety feature to insure that a downward or active stroke cannot be imparted to punch element 41 while the then punctured container C is being removed from the corresponding support 23, 30 or 31, as the case may be. It is apparent that, when plunger 86 is released by the removal of container C from the apparatus, the stem 91 thereof moves forwardly beyond abutment 120, thus permitting the rear portion of lever 36 and the follower 65 to return to its lowermost or inactive position preparatory to a repeat operation.

It is further apparent that, as plunger 86 is released, cam 92 also moves forwardly suficiently to open switch contacts 102, 103 of switch 96,-thus breaking the circuit to electric motor 57. Stop pin 69 then limits the forward movement of follower 65 and crank arm 67.

Although it is highly desirable that the circuit to electric motor 57 is normally open and is closed each time a container C is placed in operative position beneath punch element 41 and plunger 86 is depressed thereby, it is apparent that motor 57 could run continuously and switch 96 then could be omitted, without departing from the spirit of the invention, and the punch controlling device would still function in substantially the manner heretofore described.

Second Form of the Invention With the exception of the follower mechanism, the second form of the invention, shown in FIGURES 7 through 11, is substantially the same as the first form shown in FIGURES 1 through 6. Accordingly, those parts shown in FIGURES 7 through 11 which are identical to or substantially the same as like parts shown in FIGURES 1 through 6 shall bear the same reference characters with the prime notation added, where" applicable, in order to avoid repetitive description.

It will be observed in FIGURES 7, 8 and 10 that, instead of the punch-carrying arm or lever 36 being bifurcated in the manner of the lever 36 of FIGURE 1, it is in the form of a straight bar whose rear end terminates forwardly of and in spaced relation to spring 56'. The second form of follower, broadly designated at is in the form of a bar 131 whose front and rear surfaces are preferably rounded. A medial portion of the rear surface of bar 131 has an arcuate recess 132 therein so that it will fit about a portion of the motor shaft 56' when it is in engagement with the spiral groove 63 defined between the coils of spring 55.

Follower bar 131 is fixed to or suitably secured to the rear end of a shaft 134 mounted for longitudinal sliding movement in a corresponding longitudinally extending cavity 135 formed in the rear end of lever 36'. The

lower portion of lever 36 has a relatively narrow keyslot 136 therein which communicates with and corresponds to cavity 135. The stem 137 of an abutment 140 is fixed to shaft 134, projects through key slot 136, and has the rear end of a tension spring 141 suitably connected thereto. The front end of tension spring 141 is suitably attached to the lower surface of lever 36', as at 142. Thus, spring 141 normally urges follower 130 to the retracted position shown in solid lines in FIG- URE 7.

Although follower 130 may be used with a single follower guide similar to the follower guide 72 of FIG- URES 1 and 2, the motor 57 has two follower guides 145, 146 mounted thereon each of which is in the form of a vertically extending plate having its lower portion turned outwardly in a manner similar to the follower guide 72' heretofore described. The proximal edges of follower guides 145, 146 are spaced sufiicien-tly apart from each other to accommodate the shaft 134 therebetween. Also, the lower edges of follower guides 145, 146 terminate above the level occupied by follower 130 when the rear portion of lever 36' occupies its lowermost or inactive position. Each follower guide 145, 146 is formed integral with a flange 147 suitably secured, as at 150, to the upper surface of the housing of motor 57.

In operation, it is apparent that, when plunger 86' is depressed by positioning a container C' on one of the supports 23', 30' or 31, the stem 91' of plunger 86' moves rearwardly against abutment 140, thus moving rearwardly the follower 130 as the electric motor 57' is energized in the manner heretofore described with respect to motor 57. Thus, follower 130 moves into engagement with coiled spring 55 and as it moves upwardly, it passes rearwardly of follower guides 145, 146 and is thus maintained in engagement with coiled spring 55' as abutment 140 moves above the level of the rear end of stem 91' of plunger 86'.

When follower 130 is moved above the level of guide plates 145, 146, and penetration of the top of can C by punch element 41' has been completed, spring 141 then withdraws follower 130' to its original inactive position and positions abutment 140 in the plane of stem 91 so that it engages stem 91 as the rear portion of lever 36' is lowered, by gravity, much in the same manner as that described with respect to abutment 120 of the first form of the invention. It is again apparent that follower 130 cannot be moved from retracted or withdrawn position by plunger 86 until plunger 86' is again released and permits the rear end of stem 91 to move forwardly of abutment 140. The second form of the apparatus is then conditioned for a repeat operation.

It should be noted that the stem 137 of abutment 140 is sufiiciently loose in key slot 136 to permit follower 130 to rock on its axis so as to conform to the angularity of the coils of spring 55- when in engagement therewith. Also, the extent to which follower 130 may move relative to lever 36 is sufficient to allow the follower to move in the straight vertical path effected by shaft H, although the rear end of lever 36' moves in an arcuate path about its axis 37'. In the first embodiment, the follower arm 65 is sufficiently loose on pivot pin 66, to permit the same to conform to the angularity of the coils of spring 55. i

It is thus seen that I have provided an improved mechanism for effecting controlled reciprocatory movement to the punch of the container puncturing apparatus, which mechanism is embodied in an actuating device responsive to the positioning of a container beneath the punch element for energizing the motor to drive a helically threaded shaft or open coiled spring and to move a follower, carried by the punch-carrying arm, into engagement with the shaft so that an active stroke is imparted to the punch and, upon completion of each active stroke of the punch, the follower is released from engagement with the shaft so that the punch may quickly return to its raised, inactive position.

In the drawings and specification there have been set forth preferred embodiments of the invention and, although specific terms are employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation, the scope of the invention being defined in the claims.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for puncturing containers comprising (a) a frame,

(b) a movable punch carrier on said frame,

(0) a punch on said carrier,

(d) a first member movable with said punch carrier,

(e) a second member carried by said frame,

(i) one of said members comprising a shaft having a elical groove therein,

(g) means for rotating said shaft,

(h) the other of said members including a follower,

and

(1') means for moving said follower into engagement with said shaft whereby relative movement is effected between said first and second members and movement is imparted to said punch carrier. 2. Apparatus for puncturing containers comprising (a) a frame, (b) a movable punch carrier on said frame, (c) a punch on said carrier,

(d) a first member movable with said punch carrier,

(e) a second member carried by said frame,

(f) one of said members comprising a shaft having a helical groove therein,

(g) means for rotating said shaft,

(h) the other of said members including a follower,

(1) means for moving said follower into engagement with said shaft whereby relative movement is effected between said first and second members and movement is imparted to said punch carrier in one direction, and

(j) means for withdrawing said follower from engagement with said shaft upon predetermined movement being imparted to said punch carrier in said one direction.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2, including means for moving said punch carrier in the opposite direction upon said follower being withdrawn from engagement with said shaft.

4. In a container puncturing apparatus having a frame, container receiving means, and a vertically movable punch; the combination of (a) a first member,

(b) a second member,

(c) means connecting said punch to said first member,

(d) means anchoring said second member to said frame,

(e) one of said members comprising a threaded shaft,

(1) means for rotating said shaft,

(g) the other of said members comprising follower means adjacent to and normally out of engagement with said shaft, and

(h) means actuable by a container for moving said follower means into engagement with said shaft whereby relative movement is effected between said first and second members and movement is imparted to said punch.

5. In a container puncturing apparatus having a frame, container receiving means, and a vertically movable punch; the combination of (a) a first member,

(17) a second member,

(0) means connecting said punch to said first member,

(d) means anchoring said second member to said frame,

(2) one of said members comprising a threaded shaft,

( electrically operable means for rotating said shaft,

(g) the other of said members comprising follower means adjacent to and normally out of engagement with said shaft, and

(11) means actuable by a container for closing an electrical circuit to said electrically operable means and for moving said follower means into engagement with said shaft whereby relative movement is effected between said first and second members and movement is imparted to said punch.

6. A structure according to claim 5, in which said means actuable by a container includes (a) a normally open switch in said circuit,

(b) a yieldable plunger adapted to be depressed by a container at said receiving means, and

(c) means engageable by said plunger when depressed for closing said switch and moving said follower means into engagement with said shaft.

7. Apparatus for puncturing containers and the like comprising (a) a punch carrier,

(12) a punch on said carrier,

() a helically grooved rotatable shaft,

(d) a follower on said carrier normally spaced from and movable into engagement with said shaft,

whereby said shaft transmits movement to said punch in one direction through the follower and the carrier, and

(e) means to withdraw said follower from engage ment with said shaft upon predetermined movement being imparted to said punch in said one direction.

8. Apparatus according to claim 7, in which (a) said carrier comprises a pivoted lever having a rear portion on which said follower is supported and a front portion on which said punch is mounted,

(b) said rear portion being heavier than said front portion,

(c) a container receiving means below said punch,

(d) a substantially horizontal yieldable plunger adapted to be depressed by a container at said receiving means,

(e) means on said follower engageable by said plunger, when depressed, to move said follower into engagement with said shaft when the rear portion of said lever occupies a lowered inactive position, and

(1) said means on said follower being engageable with the upper surface of said plunger when the rear portion of said lever drops and the plunger is still depressed whereby said plunger must be released by the container to permit said last-named means to drop past the plunger before said plunger may subsequently move the follower into engagement with said shaft.

9. Apparatus for puncturing containers and the like comprising (a) a substantially vertically movable punch carrier normally occupying one position,

(b) a punch on said carrier,

(0) a helically grooved rotatable shaft,

(d) means for driving said shaft,

(2) a movable follower on said carrier and disposed adjacent said shaft,

(1) yieldable means normally urging said follower away from said shaft,

(g) means actuable by a container for engaging and moving said follower into engagement with said shaft When said carrier occupies said one position whereby said shaft transmits movement to said punch in one direction through the follower and the carrier and said follower moves out of engagement with the means actuable by a container,

(h) means for maintaining said follower in engagement with said shaft during predetermined movement thereof after said follower has moved out of engagement with said means actuable by a container, and

(i) said yieldable means being operable to withdraw said follower from engagement with said shaft upon said predetermined movement being imparted to said punch in said one direction.

10. Apparatus according to claim 9, in which said shaft includes a helical spring having spaced coils defining a helical groove therebetween.

11. Apparatus according to claim 9, including an abutment on said shaft and being engageable with said follower after the latter has moved beyond said maintaining means to force the follower out of engagement with said shaft upon failure of said yieldable means.

12. Apparatus for puncturing containers and the like comprising (1) a frame,

(2) a punch lever having front and rear portions fulcrumed at their juncture on said frame for movement about a substantially horizontal axis,

(3) a punch on said forward portion of said lever,

(4) a substantially upright, helically grooved and rotatable shaft carried by said frame and disposed rearwardly of said fulcrum,

(5) a follower on said rear portion of said lever and normally spaced from said shaft,

(6) means actuable by a container for moving said follower into engagement with said shaft when said punch occupies a raised position and the rear portion of said lever is in a lowered position whereby said shaft transmits downward movement to said punch through the follower and the lever, and

(7) means to withdraw said follower from engagement with said shaft upon predetermined downward movement being imparted to said punch whereby said punch may return to raised position.

13. Apparatus according to claim 12 including means yieldably urging downwardly said rear portion of said lever to return said punch to raised position upon said follower being withdrawn from engagement with said shaft.

14. Apparatus according to claim 12, in which said punch comprises (a) a substantially C-shaped metal strip having a flat upper portion fixed to said lever and a substantially V-shaped lower portion forming a pointed blade thereon,

(b) said blade being bent downwardly adjacent its pointed end, and

(c) opposed sides of said blade being beveled and forming sharp lower edges thereon.

15. Apparatus according to claim 12, in which said means to withdraw said follower includes (a) yieldable means normally urging said follower away from said shaft, and

(b) guide means for maintaining said follower in engagement with said shaft during said predetermined downward movement of said punch and following movement of said follower by said means actuable by a container.

16. Apparatus according to claim 12, in which said actuable means includes (a) a substantially horizontal yieldable plunger adapted to be depressed by a container positioned beneath said punch,

(b) downwardly projecting means movable with said follower and engageable by said plunger, when said punch occupies raised position, for moving said follower into engagement with said shaft, and

(c) the upper surface of said plunger being engageable by the lower surface of said downwardly projecting means in the course of the return of said punch to raised position while said plunger is depressed whereby the plunger must then be released before it may again move said follower into engagement with said shaft.

17. Apparatus according to claim 16, including i (a) electrically operable means for driving said shaft,

(b) a normally open switch interposed in an electrical circuit to said electrically operable means, and

(c) means for closing said switch upon said plunger being depressed and for maintaining closed said switch while said plunger is depressed.

18. Apparatus according to claim 16, in which said follower comprises (a) a follower bar pivotally connected to the lower surface of the rear portion of said lever, and at a point to one side of the longitudinal plane of said plunger and forwardly of said shaft,

(b) a crank arm extending in forward diverging relation to said bar and having said downwardly projecting means thereon, and

(c) said means for withdrawing said follower including means yieldably urging forwardly said bar away from said shaft.

19. Apparatus according to claim 18, including guide means engageable by said bar following movement of said follower bar into engagement with said shaft by said plunger to maintain said bar in engagement with said shaft during said predetermined downward movement of said punch and upward movement of the rear portion of said lever.

20. Apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the rearrnost end of said lever terminates forwardly of and in alinement with said shaft and said follower comprises (a) a follower shaft,

5 (b) means guiding said follower shaft for longitudinal movement forwardly and rearwardly along the rear portion of said lever,

(c) a transverse follower bar fixed on the rear end of said follower shaft and being movable into en- 10 gagement with said first-named shaft,

(d) said downwardly projecting means being connected to said follower shaft, and

(c) said means for withdrawing said follower including means yieldably urging forwardly said follower 15 bar away from said first-named shaft.

21. Apparatus according to claim 20, including guide means engageable by said bar following movement of said follower bar into engagement with said shaft by said plunger to maintain said bar in engagement with said O shaft during said predetermined downward movement of said punch and upward movement of the rear portion of said lever.

No references cited. 

